Detergent composition



Patented June 25, 1946 PATENT OFFICE DETERGENT COMPOSITION Magnus J. Myres, United States Army,

Mexia, Tex.

No Drawing. Application March 10,1044,

Serial No. 525,859

4 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30,

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for overnmental purposes, without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to detergents and more particularly to liquid or paste cleaning compositions containing inorganic derivatives of hydrocarbons. v

Numerous-detergents have been utilized for removing grease or heavy oil films from the surfaces of motor parts or other metal objects, but among these compositions none has been entirely satisfactory. The hydrocarbon type of detergent compositions have generallycontained naphtha, light fractions of petroleum, chlorinated hydrocarbons or other related materials. The flash point of these compositions are low with the result that toxic vapors are easily formed and fire hazards increased. A further objection to these compositions is that, when they are used as skin cleaning agents, they cause skin irritation and do not contact or wet skin readily.

It is an object of this invention to produce a detergent composition having a relatively high flash point which does not produce toxic vapors at normal temperatures and pressures.

Another object 01' this invention is to produce a detergent composition which contacts skin readily and removes grease and oil therefrom without causing skin irritation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a detergent composition comprising a reaction product of kerosene and anhydrous caustic soda having low flammability.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

In practicing this invention, the detergent compositions are, prepared by reacting kerosene or similar fractions of petroleum with anhydrous caustic soda in amounts sufficient to form a product having a flash point not lower than l15-l20 F. The reaction may be carried out by mixing kerosene and anhydrous caustic soda and heating the mixture at a temperature of approximately 200" F. until the reaction is complete. When the reaction'is complete a product is obtained which is neutral by litmus paper tests and which has a flash point of from115-l20 F,

Example I Five gallons of kerosene and one-fourth pound oi. anhydrous caustic soda are mixed in a Cor- 01' this period the reaction is complete and a product is obtained which is neutral to litmus paper tests and which has a flash point of from 115-l20 F.

above method have low volatility and do not readily form toxic vapors or create fire hazards. These compounds remove grease and heavy oil films from metal objects easily and do not irritate the skin of individuals using the compositions.

The detergent compositions contemplated by this invention contact both dry and damp skin well and are especially adapted for use as ingredients of paste hand soaps. Compositions of this type may be prepared by incorporating a soap such as tincture 01' green soap with equal parts by volume of the above detergent compounds. These compositions may also contain deodorants, abrasives and other standard industrial hand soap modifying ingredients.

Example I I One hundred fifty cubic centimeters of the reaction product of kerosene and anhydrous caustic soda obtained by Example I above, are mixed with an equal quantity of tincture of green soap and one hundred fifty grams of corn meal. The mixture is thoroughly mixed to produce a homo- 80. geneous pasty mass. Fifteen drops of 011 of a'nise may be added as a deodorant. The quantity of corn meal may be varied to obtain any desired consistency.

The hand soapsprepared in the above manner remove grease and oils from the skin quickly and thoroughly owing to their excellent skin contacting or wetting properties and furthermore possess the decided advantage of not being detri- 'mental to the skin. These preparations may be removed by means of a. simple water wash.

It is apparent that different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus described by invention, what I chim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A detergent composition non-irritating to skin comprising the products obtained by heating about five gallons of kerosene and one-fourth pound of anhydrous caustic soda to a temperatureof about 200 F. for a period of two hours.

2. A detergent composition non-irritating to skin comprising the products obtained by heating The detergent compositions formed by the about five gallons of kerosene and one-fourth pound of anhydrous caustic soda to a. temperature of about 200 F. for a period of two hours, and an equal volume of tincture of green soap.

3. A detergent composition non-irritating to skin comprising one hundred fifty cubic centimeters of the products obtained by heating about five gallons of kerosene and one-fourth pound anhydrou caustic soda to a temperature of about 200 F. for a period of two hours, one hundred fifty cubic centimeters of tincture of green soap,

5 4 one hundred fifty grams or corn meal, and ii!- teen drops of oil 01' anise.

4. The process for the preparation of to, detergent composition non irritating to skin and characterized by having a. hash point not lower than 115-120 F. which comprises mixing five gallons of kerosene and one-fourth pound of anhydrous caustic soda, heating the mixture to a. temperature of approximately 200 F. for a period of 10 two hours.

MAGNUS J. MYRES. 

